Adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 9 sequences, vectors containing same, and uses therefor

ABSTRACT

Sequences of a serotype 9 adeno-associated virus and vectors and host cells containing these sequences are provided. Also described are methods of using such host cells and vectors in production of rAAV particles. AAV9-mediated delivery of therapeutic and immunogenic genes is also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a US National Phase of Application No. PCT/US02/33631, filed Nov. 12, 2002, which claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of US Provisional Appln. No. 60/386,132 filed on Jun. 5, 2002 and US Provisional Appln. No. 60/341,150 filed on Dec. 17, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Adeno-associated virus (AAV), a member of the Parvovirus family, is a small nonenveloped, icosahedral virus with single-stranded linear DNA genomes of 4.7 kilobases (kb) to 6 kb. AAV is assigned to the genus, Dependovirus, because the virus was discovered as a contaminant in purified adenovirus stocks. AAV's life cycle includes a latent phase at which AAV genomes, after infection, are site specifically integrated into host chromosomes and an infectious phase in which, following either adenovirus or herpes simplex virus infection, the integrated genomes are subsequently rescued, replicated, and packaged into infectious viruses. The properties of non-pathogenicity, broad host range of infectivity, including non-dividing cells, and potential site-specific chromosomal integration make AAV an attractive tool for gene transfer.

Recent studies suggest that AAV vectors may be the preferred vehicle for gene delivery. To date, there have been 6 different serotypes of AAVs isolated from human or non-human primates (NHP) and well characterized. Among them, human serotype 2 is the first AAV that was developed as a gene transfer vector; it has been widely used for efficient gene transfer experiments in different target tissues and animal models. Clinical trials of the experimental application of AAV2 based vectors to some human disease models are in progress, and include such diseases as cystic fibrosis and hemophilia B.

What are desirable are AAV-based constructs for gene delivery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides novel AAV sequences, compositions containing these sequences, and uses therefor. Advantageously, these compositions are particularly well suited for use in compositions requiring re-administration of rAAV for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes.

These and other aspects of the invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are the nucleic acid sequences of the rep and cap regions of AAV9 [SEQ ID NO:1].

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are an alignment of the amino acid sequences of the vp1 protein of the capsid of the novel AAV9 [SEQ ID NO:2] sequences of the invention as compared to the published sequences of AAV2 [SEQ ID NO:4], AAV1 [SEQ ID NO:5], and AAV3 [SEQ ID NO:6], and of a novel serotype AAV8 [SEQ ID NO:7], which is the subject of a co-pending application. The alignment was performed using the Clustal W program, with the numbering of AAV2 used for reference. Underlining and bold under the AAV9 sequences indicates cassettes of identity within the HVR.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are the amino acid sequences of the rep proteins of AAV9 [SEQ ID NO:3].

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides the nucleic acid sequences and amino acids of a novel AAV serotype, AAV9. Also provided are fragments of these AAV sequences. Each of these fragments may be readily utilized in a variety of vector systems and host cells. Among desirable AAV9 fragments are the cap proteins, including the vp1, vp2, vp3 and hypervariable regions, the rep proteins, including rep 78, rep 68, rep 52, and rep 40, and the sequences encoding these proteins. These fragments may be readily utilized in a variety of vector systems and host cells. Such fragments may be used alone, in combination with other AAV9 sequences or fragments, or in combination with elements from other AAV or non-AAV viral sequences. In one particularly desirable embodiment, a vector contains the AAV9 cap and/or rep sequences of the invention.

The AAV9 sequences and fragments thereof are useful in production of rAAV, and are also useful as antisense delivery vectors, gene therapy vectors, or vaccine vectors. The invention further provides nucleic acid molecules, gene delivery vectors, and host cells which contain the AAV9 sequences of the invention.

Suitable fragments can be determined using the information provided herein. Alignments are performed using any of a variety of publicly or commercially available Multiple Sequence Alignment Programs, such as “Clustal W”, accessible through Web. Servers on the internet. Alternatively, Vector NTI utilities are also used. There are also a number of algorithms known in the art which can be used to measure nucleotide sequence identity, including those contained in the programs described above. As another example, polynucleotide sequences can be compared using Fasta, a program in GCG Version 6.1. Fasta provides alignments and percent sequence identity of the regions of the best overlap between the query and search sequences. For instance, percent sequence identity between nucleic acid sequences can be determined using Fasta with its default parameters (a word size of 6 and the NOPAM factor for the scoring matrix) as provided in GCG Version 6.1, herein incorporated by reference. Similar programs are available for amino acid sequences, e.g., the “Clustal X” program. Generally, any of these programs are used at default settings, although one of skill in the art can alter these settings as needed. Alternatively, one of skill in the art can utilize another algorithm or computer program which provides at least the level of identity or alignment as that provided by the referenced algorithms and programs.

The term “substantial homology” or “substantial similarity,” when referring to a nucleic acid, or fragment thereof, indicates that, when optimally aligned with appropriate nucleotide insertions or deletions with another nucleic acid (or its complementary strand), there is nucleotide sequence identity in at least about 95 to 99% of the aligned sequences. Preferably, the homology is over full-length sequence, or an open reading frame thereof, or another suitable fragment which is at least 15 nucleotides in length. Examples of suitable fragments are described herein.

The term “substantial homology” or “substantial similarity,” when referring to amino acids or fragments thereof, indicates that, when optimally aligned with appropriate amino acid insertions or deletions with another amino acid (or its complementary strand), there is amino acid sequence identity in at least about 95 to 99% of the aligned sequences. Preferably, the homology is over full-length sequence, or a protein thereof, e.g., a cap protein, a rep protein, or a fragment thereof which is at least 8 amino acids, or more desirably, at least 15 amino acids in length. Examples of suitable fragments are described herein.

By the term “highly conserved” is meant at least 80% identity, preferably at least 90% identity, and more preferably, over 97% identity. Identity is readily determined by one of skill in the art by resort to algorithms and computer programs known by those of skill in the art.

The term “percent sequence identity” or “identical” in the context of nucleic acid sequences refers to the residues in the two sequences which are the same when aligned for maximum correspondence. The length of sequence identity comparison may be over the full-length of the genome, the full-length of a gene coding sequence, or a fragment of at least about 500 to 5000 nucleotides, is desired. However, identity among smaller fragments, e.g. of at least about nine nucleotides, usually at least about 20 to 24 nucleotides, at least about 28 to 32 nucleotides, at least about 36 or more nucleotides, may also be desired. Similarly, “percent sequence identity” may be readily determined for amino acid sequences, over the full-length of a protein, or a fragment thereof. Suitably, a fragment is at least about 8 amino acids in length, and may be up to about 700 amino acids. Examples of suitable fragments are described herein.

As described herein, the vectors of the invention containing the AAV capsid proteins of the invention are particularly well suited for use in applications in which the neutralizing antibodies diminish the effectiveness of other AAV serotype based vectors, as well as other viral vectors. The rAAV vectors of the invention are particularly advantageous in rAAV readministration and repeat gene therapy.

These and other embodiments and advantages of the invention are described in more detail below. As used throughout this specification and the claims, the term “comprising” is inclusive of other components, elements, integers, steps and the like. Conversely, the term “consisting” and its variants are exclusive of other components, elements, integers, steps and the like.

I. AAV Serotype 9 Sequences

A. Nucleic Acid Sequences

The AAV9 nucleic acid sequences of the invention include the DNA sequences of FIG. 1 [SEQ ID NO: 1], which consists of 4382 nucleotides. The AAV9 nucleic acid sequences of the invention further encompass the strand which is complementary to FIG. 1 [SEQ ID NO: 1], as well as the RNA and cDNA sequences corresponding to FIG. 1 [SEQ ID NO: 1] and its complementary strand. Also included in the nucleic acid sequences of the invention are natural variants and engineered modifications of FIG. 1 [SEQ ID NO: 1] and its complementary strand. Such modifications include, for example, labels which are known in the art, methylation, and substitution of one or more of the naturally occurring nucleotides with a degenerate nucleotide.

Further included in this invention are nucleic acid sequences which are greater than 85%, preferably at least about 90%, more preferably at least about 95%, and most preferably at least about 98 to 99% identical or homologous to FIG. 1 [SEQ ID NO:1]. Also included within the invention are fragments of FIG. 1 [SEQ ID NO: 1], its complementary strand, cDNA and RNA complementary thereto. Suitable fragments are at least 15 nucleotides in length, and encompass functional fragments, i.e., fragments which are of biological interest. Such fragments include the sequences encoding the three variable proteins (vp) of the AAV9 capsid which are alternative splice variants: vp1 [nt 2116 to 4323 of FIG. 1, SEQ ID NO:1]; vp2 [nt 2527 to 4323 of FIG. 1, SEQ ID NO:1]; and vp 3 [nt 2725 to 4323 of FIG. 1, SEQ ID NO:1]. Other suitable fragments of FIG. 1, SEQ ID NO:1, the fragment which contains the start codon for the AAV9 capsid protein.

Still other fragments include those encoding the rep proteins, including rep 78 [initiation codon at nt 228 of FIG. 1], rep 68 [initiation codon at nt 228 of FIG. 1], rep 52 [initiation codon at nt 900 of FIG. 1], and rep 40 [initiation codon at nt 900 of FIG. 1]. See, SEQ ID NO:1. Other fragments of interest may include the AAV invented terminal repeats (ITRs), AAV P19 sequences, AAV P40 sequences, the rep binding site, and the terminal resolute site (TRS). Still other suitable fragments will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art.

In addition to including the nucleic acid sequences provided in the figures and Sequence Listing, the present invention includes nucleic acid molecules and sequences which are designed to express the amino acid sequences, proteins and peptides of the AAV serotypes of the invention. Thus, the invention includes nucleic acid sequences which encode the following novel AAV amino acid sequences and artificial AAV serotypes generated using these sequences and/or unique fragments thereof.

As used herein, artificial AAV serotypes include, without limitation, AAV with a non-naturally occurring capsid protein. Such an artificial capsid may be generated by any suitable technique, using a novel AAV sequence of the invention (e.g., a fragment of a vp1 capsid protein) in combination with heterologous sequences which may be obtained from another AAV serotype (known or novel), non-contiguous portions of the same AAV serotype, from a non-AAV viral source, or from a non-viral source. An artificial AAV serotype may be, without limitation, a chimeric AAV capsid, a recombinant AAV capsid, or a “humanized” AAV capsid.

B. AAV9 Amino Acid Sequences, Proteins and Peptides

The invention further provides proteins and fragments thereof which are encoded by the AAV9 nucleic acids of the invention, and AAV9 amino acids which are generated by other methods. The invention further encompasses AAV serotypes generated using sequences of the novel AAV serotype of the invention, which are generated using synthetic, recombinant or other techniques known to those of skill in the art. The invention is not limited to novel AAV amino acid sequences, peptides and proteins expressed from the novel AAV nucleic acid sequences of the invention and encompasses amino acid sequences, peptides and proteins generated by other methods known in the alt, including, e.g., by chemical synthesis, by other synthetic techniques, or by other methods. For example, the sequences of any of be readily generated using a variety of techniques.

Suitable production techniques are well known to those of skill in the art. See, e.g., Sambrook et al, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.). Alternatively, peptides can also be synthesized by the well known solid phase peptide synthesis methods (Merrifield, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 85:2149 (1962); Stewart and Young, Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (Freeman, San Francisco, 1969) pp. 27–62). These and other suitable production methods are within the knowledge of those of skill in the art and are not a limitation of the present invention.

Particularly desirable proteins include the AAV9 capsid proteins and AAV9 rep proteins.

Particularly desirable proteins include the AAV capsid proteins, which are encoded by the nucleotide sequences identified above. The AAV capsid is composed of three proteins, vp1, vp2 and vp3, which are alternative splice variants. The full-length sequence provided in FIG. 2 is that of vp1. The AAV9 capsid proteins include vp1 [SEQ ID NO:2], vp2 [aa 138 to 736 of SEQ ID NO:2], and vp3 [aa 203 to 736 of SEQ ID NO: 2] and functional fragments thereof. Other desirable fragments of the capsid protein include the constant and variable regions, located between hypervariable regions (HPV). Other desirable fragments of the capsid protein include the HPV themselves.

An algorithm developed to determine areas of sequence divergence in AAV2 has yielded 12 hypervariable regions (HVR) of which 5 overlap or are part of the four previously described variable regions. [Chiorini et al, J. Virol, 73:1309–19 (1999); Rutledge et al, J. Virol., 72:309–319] Using this algorithm and/or the alignment techniques described herein, the HVR of the novel AAV serotypes are determined. For example, with respect to the number of the AAV2 vp1 [SEQ ID NO:4], the HVR are located as follows: HVR1, aa 146–152; HVR2, aa 182–186; HVR3, aa 262–264; HVR4, aa 381–383; HVR5, aa 450–474; HVR6, aa 490–495; HVR7, aa500–504; HVR8, aa 514–522; HVR9, aa 534–555; HVR10, aa 581–594; HVR11, aa 658–667; and HVR12, aa 705–719. Using the alignment provided herein performed using the Clustal X program at default settings, or using other commercially or publicly available alignment programs at default settings, one of skill in the art can readily determine corresponding fragments of the novel AAV capsids of the invention.

Still other desirable fragments of the AAV9 capsid protein include amino acids 1 to 184 of SEQ ID NO: 2, amino acids 199 to 259; amino acids 274 to 446; amino acids 603 to 659; amino acids 670 to 706; amino acids 724 to 736 of SEQ ID NO:2; aa 185–198; aa 260–273; aa447–477; aa495–602; aa660–669; and aa707–723. Additionally, examples of other suitable fragments of AAV capsids include, with respect to the numbering of AAV2 [SEQ ID NO:4], aa 24 to 42, aa 25 to 28; aa 81 to 85; aa133 to 165; aa 171 to 173; aa 413 to 417; aa 449 to 478; aa 494 to 525; aa 534 to 571; aa 5 aa 660 to 671; aa 709 to 723. Still other desirable fragments include, for example, in AAV7, amino acids 1 to 184 of SEQ ID NO:2, amino acids 199 to 259; amino acids 274 to 446; amino acids 603 to 659; amino acids 670 to 706; amino acids 724 to 736; aa 185 to 198; aa 260 to 273; aa447 to 477; aa495 to 602; aa660 to 669; and aa707 to 723. Using the alignment provided herein performed using the Clustal X program at default settings, or using other commercially or publicly available alignment programs at default settings, one of skill in the art can readily determine corresponding fragments of the novel AAV capsids of the invention.

Still other desirable AAV9 proteins include the rep proteins include rep68/78 and rep40/52 [located within SEQ ID NO: 3]. Suitable fragments of the rep proteins may include aa 1 to 102; aa 103 to 140; aa 141 to 173; aa 174 to 226; aa 227 to 275; aa 276 to 374; aa 375 to 383; aa 384 to 446; aa 447 to 542; aa 543 to 555; aa 556 to 623, of SEQ ID NO:3.

Suitably, fragments are at least 8 amino acids in length. However, fragments of other desired lengths may be readily utilized. Such fragments may be produced recombinantly or by other suitable means, e.g., chemical synthesis.

The invention further provides other AAV9 sequences which are identified using the sequence information provided herein. For example, given the AAV9 sequences provided herein, infectious AAV9 may be isolated using genome walking technology (Siebertetal., 1995, Nucleic Acid Research, 23:1087–1088, Friezner-Degen et al., 1986, J. Biol. Chem. 261:6972–6985, BD Biosciences Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.). Genome walking is particularly well suited for identifying and isolating the sequences adjacent to the novel sequences identified according to the method of the invention. This technique is also useful for isolating inverted terminal repeat (ITRs) of the novel AAV9 serotype, based upon the novel AAV capsid and rep sequences provided herein.

The sequences, proteins, and fragments of the invention may be produced by any suitable means, including recombinant production, chemical synthesis, or other synthetic means. Such production methods are within the knowledge of those of skill in the art and are not a limitation of the present invention.

IV. Production of rAAV with AAV9 Capsids

The invention encompasses novel, wild-type AAV9, the sequences of which are free of DNA and/or cellular material with these viruses are associated in nature. In another aspect, the present invention provides molecules which utilize the novel AAV sequences of the invention, including fragments thereof, for production of molecules useful in delivery of a heterologous gene or other nucleic acid sequences to a target cell.

In another aspect, the present invention provides molecules which utilize the AAV9 sequences of the invention, including fragments thereof, for production of viral vectors useful in delivery of a heterologous gene or other nucleic acid sequences to a target cell.

The molecules of the invention which contain AAV9 sequences include any genetic element (vector) which may be delivered to a host cell, e.g., naked DNA, a plasmid, phage, transposon, cosmid, episome, a protein in a non-viral delivery vehicle (e.g., a lipid-based carrier), virus, etc. which transfer the sequences carried thereon. The selected vector may be delivered by any suitable method, including transfection, electroporation, liposome delivery, membrane fusion techniques, high velocity DNA-coated pellets, viral infection and protoplast fusion. The methods used to construct any embodiment of this invention are known to those with skill in nucleic acid manipulation and include genetic engineering, recombinant engineering, and synthetic techniques. See, e.g., Sambrook et al, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.

In one embodiment, the vectors of the invention contain, at a minimum, sequences encoding an AAV9 capsid or a fragment thereof. In another embodiment, the vectors of the invention contain, at a minimum, sequences encoding an AAV9 rep protein or a fragment thereof. Optionally, such vectors may contain both AAV cap and rep proteins. In vectors in which both AAV rep and cap are provides, the AAV rep and AAV cap sequences can both be of AAV9 origin. Alternatively, the present invention provides vectors in which the rep sequences are from an AAV serotype which differs from that which is providing the cap sequences. In one embodiment, the rep and cap sequences are expressed from separate sources (e.g., separate vectors, or a host cell and a vector). In another embodiment, these rep sequences are fused in frame to cap sequences of a different AAV serotype to form a chimeric AAV vector. Optionally, the vectors of the invention further contain a minigene comprising a selected transgene which is flanked by AAV 5′ ITR and AAV 3′ ITR.

Thus, in one embodiment, the vectors described herein contain nucleic acid sequences encoding an intact AAV capsid which may be from a single AAV serotype (e.g., AAV9). Such a capsid may comprise amino acids 1 to 736 of SEQ ID NO:2. Alternatively, these vectors contain sequences encoding artificial capsids which contain one or more fragments of the AAV9 capsid fused to heterologous AAV or non-AAV capsid proteins (or fragments thereof). These artificial capsid proteins are selected from non-contiguous portions of the AAV9 capsid or from capsids of other AAV serotypes. For example, a rAAV may have a capsid protein comprising one or more of the AAV9 capsid regions selected from the vp2 and/or vp3, or from vp1, or fragments thereof selected from amino acids 1 to 184, amino acids 199 to 259; amino acids 274 to 446; amino acids 603 to 659; amino acids 670 to 706; amino acids 724 to 736 of the AAV9 capsid, SEQ ID NO: 2. In another example, it may be desirable to alter the start codon of the vp3 protein to GTG. Alternatively, the rAAV may contain one or more of the AAV serotype 9 capsid protein hypervariable regions which are identified herein, or other fragment including, without limitation, aa 185 to 198; aa 260–273; aa 447 to 477; aa 495 to 602; aa 660 to 669; and aa 707 to 723 of the AAV9 capsid. See, SEQ ID NO: 2 These modifications may be to increase expression, yield, and/or to improve purification in the selected expression systems, or for another desired purpose (e.g., to change tropism or alter neutralizing antibody epitopes).

The vectors described herein, e.g., a plasmid, are useful for a variety of purposes, but are particularly well suited for use in production of a rAAV containing a capsid comprising AAV sequences or a fragment thereof. These vectors, including rAAV, their elements, construction, and uses are described in detail herein.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method of generating a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) having an AAV serotype 9 capsid, or a portion thereof. Such a method involves culturing a host cell which contains a nucleic acid sequence encoding an adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 9 capsid protein, or fragment thereof, as defined herein; a functional rep gene; a minigene composed of, at a minimum, AAV inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) and a transgene; and sufficient helper functions to permit packaging of the minigene into the AAV9 capsid protein.

The components required to be cultured in the host cell to package an AAV minigene in an AAV capsid may be provided to the host cell in trans. Alternatively, any one or more of the required components (e.g., minigene, rep sequences, cap sequences, and/or helper functions) may be provided by a stable host cell which has been engineered to contain one or more of the required components using methods known to those of skill in the art. Most suitably, such a stable host cell will contain the required component(s) under the control of an inducible promoter. However, the required component(s) may be under the control of a constitutive promoter. Examples of suitable inducible and constitutive promoters are provided herein, in the discussion of regulatory elements suitable for use with the transgene. In still another alternative, a selected stable host cell may contain selected component(s) under the control of a constitutive promoter and other selected component(s) under the control of one or more inducible promoters. For example, a stable host cell may be generated which is derived from 293 cells (which contain E1 helper functions under the control of a constitutive promoter), but which contains the rep and/or cap proteins under the control of inducible promoters. Still other stable host cells may be generated by one of skill in the art.

The minigene, rep sequences, cap sequences, and helper functions required for producing the rAAV of the invention may be delivered to the packaging host cell in the form of any genetic element which transfer the sequences carried thereon. The selected genetic element may be delivered by any suitable method, including those described herein. The methods used to construct any embodiment of this invention are known to those with skill in nucleic acid manipulation and include genetic engineering, recombinant engineering, and synthetic techniques. See, e.g., Sambrook et al, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. Similarly, methods of generating rAAV virions arc well known and the selection of a suitable method is not a limitation on the present invention. See, e.g., K. Fisher et al. J. Virol., 70:520–532 (1993) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,745.

Unless otherwise specified, the AAV ITRs, and other selected AAV components described herein, may be readily selected from among any AAV serotype, including without limitation, AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, and the novel serotype of the invention, AAV9. These ITRs or other AAV components may be readily isolated using techniques available to those of skill in the art from an AAV serotype. Such AAV may be isolated or obtained from academic, commercial, or public sources (e.g., the American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Va.). Alternatively, the AAV sequences may be obtained through synthetic or other suitable means by reference to published sequences such as are available in the literature or in databases such as, e.g., GenBank, PubMed, or the like.

A. The Minigene

The minigene is composed of, at a minimum, a transgene and its regulatory sequences, and 5′ and 3′ AAV inverted terminal repeats (ITRs). In one desirable embodiment, the ITRs of AAV serotype 2 are used. However, ITRs from other suitable serotypes may be selected. It is this minigene which is packaged into a capsid protein and delivered to a selected host cell.

1. The Transgene

The transgene is a nucleic acid sequence, heterologous to the vector sequences flanking the transgene, which encodes a polypeptide, protein, or other product of interest. The nucleic acid coding sequence is operatively linked to regulatory components in a manner which permits transgene transcription, translation, and/or expression in a host cell.

The composition of the transgene sequence will depend upon the use to which the resulting vector will be put. For example, one type of transgene sequence includes a reporter sequence, which upon expression produces a detectable signal. Such reporter sequences include, without limitation, DNA sequences encoding β-lactamase, β-galactosidase (LacZ), alkaline phosphatase, thymidine kinase, green fluorescent protein (GFP), chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), luciferase, membrane bound proteins including, for example, CD2, CD4, CD8, the influenza hemagglutinin protein, and others well known in the art, to which high affinity antibodies directed thereto exist or can be produced by conventional means, and fusion proteins comprising a membrane bound protein appropriately fused to an antigen tag domain from, among others, hemagglutinin or Myc.

These coding sequences, when associated with regulatory elements which drive their expression, provide signals detectable by conventional means, including enzymatic, radiographic, calorimetric, fluorescence or other spectrographic assays, fluorescent activating cell sorting assays and immunological assays, including enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunohistochemistry. For example, where the marker sequence is the LacZ gene, the presence of the vector carrying the signal is detected by assays for beta-galactosidase activity. Where the transgene is green fluorescent protein or luciferase, the vector carrying the signal may be measured visually by color or light production in a luminometer.

However, desirably, the transgene is a non-marker sequence encoding a product which is useful in biology and medicine, such as proteins, peptides, RNA, enzymes, or catalytic RNAs. Desirable RNA molecules include tRNA, dsRNA, ribosomal RNA, catalytic RNAs, and antisense RNAs. One example of a useful RNA sequence is a sequence which extinguishes expression of a targeted nucleic acid sequence in the treated animal.

The transgene may be used to correct or ameliorate gene deficiencies, which may include deficiencies in which normal genes are expressed at less than normal levels or deficiencies in which the functional gene product is not expressed. A preferred type of transgene sequence encodes a therapeutic protein or polypeptide which is expressed in a host cell. The invention further includes using multiple transgenes, e.g., to correct or ameliorate a gene defect caused by a multi-subunit protein. In certain situations, a different transgene may be used to encode each subunit of a protein, or to encode different peptides or proteins. This is desirable when the size of the DNA encoding the protein subunit is large, e.g., for an immunoglobulin, the platelet-derived growth factor, or a dystrophin protein. In order for the cell to produce the multi-subunit protein, a cell is infected with the recombinant virus containing each of the different subunits. Alternatively, different subunits of a protein may be encoded by the same transgene. In this case, a single transgene includes the DNA encoding each of the subunits, with the DNA for each subunit separated by an internal ribozyme entry site (IRES). This is desirable when the size of the DNA encoding each of the subunits is small, e.g., the total size of the DNA encoding the subunits and the IRES is less than five kilobases. As an alternative to an IRES, the DNA may be separated by sequences encoding a 2A peptide, which self-cleaves in a post-translational event. See, e.g., M. L. Donnelly, et al, J. Gen. Virol., 78(Pt 1):13–21 (January 1997); Furler, S., et al, Gene Ther., 8(11):864–873 (June 2001); Klump H., et al., Gene Ther., 8(10):811–817 (May 2001This 2A peptide is significantly smaller than an IRES, making it well suited for use when space is a limiting factor. However, the selected transgene may encode any biologically active product or other product, e.g., a product desirable for study.

Suitable transgenes may be readily selected by one of skill in the art. The selection of the transgene is not considered to be a limitation of this invention.

2. Regulatory Elements

In addition to the major elements identified above for the minigene, the vector also includes conventional control elements necessary which are operably linked to the transgene in a manner which permits its transcription, translation and/or expression in a cell transfected with the plasmid vector or infected with the virus produced by the invention. As used herein, “operably linked” sequences include both expression control sequences that are contiguous with the gene of interest and expression control sequences that act in trans or at a distance to control the gene of interest.

Expression control sequences include appropriate transcription initiation, termination, promoter and enhancer sequences; efficient RNA processing signals such as splicing and polyadenylation (polyA) signals; sequences that stabilize cytoplasmic mRNA; sequences that enhance translation efficiency (i.e., Kozak consensus sequence); sequences that enhance protein stability; and when desired, sequences that enhance secretion of the encoded product. A great number of expression control sequences, including promoters which are native, constitutive, inducible and/or tissue-specific, are known in the art and may be utilized.

Examples of constitutive promoters include, without limitation, the retroviral Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) LTR promoter (optionally with the RSV enhancer), the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter (optionally with the CMV enhancer) [see, e.g., Boshart et al, Cell, 41:521–530 (1985)], the SV40 promoter, the dihydrofolate reductase promoter, the β-actin promoter, the phosphoglycerol kinase (PGK) promoter, and the EF1α promoter [Invitrogen].

Inducible promoters allow regulation of gene expression and can be regulated by exogenously supplied compounds, environmental factors such as temperature, or the presence of a specific physiological state, e.g., acute phase, a particular differentiation state of the cell, or in replicating cells only. Inducible promoters and inducible systems are available from a variety of commercial sources, including, without limitation, Invitrogen, Clontech and Ariad. Many other systems have been described and can be readily selected by one of skill in the art. Examples of inducible promoters regulated by exogenously supplied compounds include, e.g., the zinc-inducible sheep metallothionine (MT) promoter, the dexamethasone (Dex)-inducible mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) promoter, the T7 polymerase promoter system [WO 98/10088]; the ecdysone insect promoter [No et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sc. USA, 93:3346–3351 (1996)], the tetracycline-repressible system [Gossen et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89:5547–5551 (1992)], the tetracycline-inducible system [Gossen et al, Science, 268:1766–1769 (1995), see also Harvey et al, Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol., 2:512–518 (1998)], the RU486-inducible system [Wang et al, Nat. Biotech., 15:239–243 (1997) and Wang et al, Gene Ther., 4:432–441(1997)] and the rapamycin-inducible system [Magari et al, J. Clin. Invest., 100:2865–2872 (1997)]. Other types of inducible promoters which may be useful in this context are those which are regulated by a specific physiological state, e.g., temperature, acute phase, a particular differentiation state of the cell, or in replicating cells only.

In another embodiment, the native promoter for the transgene will be used. The native promoter may be preferred when it is desired that expression of the transgene mimic the native expression. The native promoter may be used when expression of the transgene must be regulated temporally or developmentally, or in a tissue-specific manner, or in response to specific transcriptional stimuli. In a further embodiment, other native expression control elements, such as enhancer elements, polyadenylation sites or Kozak consensus sequences may also be used to mimic the native expression.

Another embodiment of the transgene includes a transgene operably linked to a tissue-specific promoter. For instance, if expression in skeletal muscle is desired, a promoter active in muscle should be used. These include the promoters from genes encoding skeletal β-actin, myosin light chain 2A, dystrophin, muscle creatine kinase, as well as synthetic muscle promoters with activities higher than naturally-occurring promoters (see Li et al., Nat. Biotech., 17:241–245 (1999)). Examples of promoters that are tissue-specific are known for liver (albumin, Miyatake et al., J. Virol., 71:5124–32 (1997); hepatitis B virus core promoter, Sandig et al., Gene Ther., 3:1002–9 (1996); alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), Arbuthnot et al., Hum. Gene Ther., 7:1503–14 (1996)), bone osteocalcin (Stein et al., Mol. Biol. Rep., 24:185–96 (1997)); bone sialoprotein (Chen et al., J. Bone Miner. Res., 11:654–64 (1996)), lymphocytes (CD2, Hansal et al., J. Immuno., 161:1063–8 (1998); immunoglobulin heavy chain; T cell receptor αchain), neuronal such as neuron-specific enolase (NSE) promoter (Andersen et al., Cell. Mol. Neurobiol., 13:503–15 (1993)), neurofilament light-chain gene (Piccioli et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88:5611–5 (1991)), and the neuron-specific vgf gene (Piccioli et al., Neuron, 15:373–84 (1995)), among others.

Optionally, plasmids carrying therapeutically useful transgenes may also include selectable markers or reporter genes may include sequences encoding geneticin, hygromicin or purimycin resistance, among others. Such selectable reporters or marker genes (preferably located outside the viral genome to be rescued by the method of the invention) can be used to signal the presence of the plasmids in bacterial cells, such as ampicillin resistance. Other components of the plasmid may include an origin of replication. Selection of these and other promoters and vector elements are conventional and many such sequences are available [see, e.g., Sambrook et al, and references cited therein].

The combination of the transgene, promoter/enhancer, and 5′ and 3′ ITRs is referred to as a “minigene” for ease of reference herein. Provided with the teachings of this invention, the design of such a minigene can be made by resort to conventional techniques.

3. Delivery of the Minigene to a Packaging Host Cell

The minigene can be carried on any suitable vector, e.g., a plasmid, which is delivered to a host cell. The plasmids useful in this invention may be engineered such that they are suitable for replication and, optionally, integration in prokaryotic cells, mammalian cells, or both. These plasmids (or other vectors carrying the 5′ AAV ITR-heterologous molecule-3′ITR) contain sequences permitting replication of the minigene in eukaryotes and/or prokaryotes and selection markers for these systems. Selectable markers or reporter genes may include sequences encoding geneticin, hygromicin or purimycin resistance, among others. The plasmids may also contain certain selectable reporters or marker genes that can be used to signal the presence of the vector in bacterial cells, such as ampicillin resistance. Other components of the plasmid may include an origin of replication and an amplicon, such as the amplicon system employing the Epstein Barr virus nuclear antigen. This amplicon system, or other similar amplicon components permit high copy episomal replication in the cells. Preferably, the molecule carrying the minigene is transfected into the cell, where it may exist transiently. Alternatively, the minigene (carrying the 5′ AAV ITR-heterologous molecule-3′ ITR) may be stably integrated into the genome of the host cell, either chromosomally or as an episome. In certain embodiments, the minigene may be present in multiple copies, optionally in head-to-head, head-to-tail, or tail-to-tail concatamers. Suitable transfection techniques are known and may readily be utilized to deliver the minigene to the host cell.

Generally, when delivering the vector comprising the minigene by transfection, the vector is delivered in an amount from about 5 μg to about 100 μg DNA, and preferably about 10 to about 50 μg DNA to about 1×10⁴ cells to about 1×10¹³ cells, and preferably about 10⁵ cells. However, the relative amounts of vector DNA to host cells may be adjusted, taking into consideration such factors as the selected vector, the delivery method and the host cells selected.

B. Rep and Cap Sequences

In addition to the minigene, the host cell contains the sequences which drive expression of the AAV9 capsid protein (or a capsid protein comprising a fragment of the AAV9 capsid) in the host cell and rep sequences of the same serotype as the serotype of the AAV ITRs found in the minigene, or a cross-complementing serotype. The AAV cap and rep sequences may be independently obtained from an AAV source as described above and may be introduced into the host cell in any manner known to one in the art as described above. Additionally, when pseudotyping an AAV vector in an AAV9 capsid, the sequences encoding each of the essential rep proteins may be supplied by AAV9, or the sequences encoding the rep proteins may be supplied by different AAV serotypes (e.g., AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7). For example, the rep78168 sequences may be from AAV2, whereas the rep52/40 sequences may from AAV1.

In one embodiment, the host cell stably contains the capsid protein under the control of a suitable promoter, such as those described above. Most desirably, in this embodiment, the capsid protein is expressed under the control of an inducible promoter. In another embodiment, the capsid protein is supplied to the host cell in trans. When delivered to the host cell in trans, the capsid protein may be delivered via a plasmid which contains the sequences necessary to direct expression of the selected capsid protein in the host cell. Most desirably, when delivered to the host cell in trans, the plasmid carrying the capsid protein also carries other sequences required for packaging the rAAV, e.g., the rep sequences.

In another embodiment, the host cell stably contains the rep sequences under the control of a suitable promoter, such as those described above. Most desirably, in this embodiment, the essential rep proteins are expressed under the control of an inducible promoter. In another embodiment, the rep proteins are supplied to the host cell in trans. When delivered to the host cell in trans, the rep proteins may be delivered via a plasmid which contains the sequences necessary to direct expression of the selected rep proteins in the host cell. Most desirably, when delivered to the host cell in trans, the plasmid carrying the capsid protein also carries other sequences required for packaging the rAAV, e.g., the rep and cap sequences.

Thus, in one embodiment, the rep and cap sequences may be transfected into the host cell on a single nucleic acid molecule and exist stably in the cell as an episome. In another embodiment, the rep and cap sequences are stably integrated into the genome of the cell. Another embodiment has the rep and cap sequences transiently expressed in the host cell. For example, a useful nucleic acid is molecule for such transfection comprises, from 5′ to 3′, a promoter, an optional spacer interposed between the promoter and the start site of the rep gene sequence, an AAV rep gene sequence, and an AAV cap gene sequence.

Optionally, the rep and/or cap sequences may be supplied on a vector that contains other DNA sequences that are to be introduced into the host cells. For instance, the vector may contain the rAAV construct comprising the minigene. The vector may comprise one or more of the genes encoding the helper functions, e.g., the adenoviral proteins E1, E2a, and E4ORF6, and the gene for VAI RNA.

Preferably, the promoter used in this construct may be any of the constitutive, inducible or native promoters known to one of skill in the art or as discussed above. In one embodiment, an AAV PS promoter sequence is employed. The selection of the AAV to provide any of these sequences does not limit the invention.

In another preferred embodiment, the promoter for rep is an inducible promoter, many of which are discussed above in connection with the transgene regulatory elements. One preferred promoter for rep expression is the T7 promoter. The vector comprising the rep gene regulated by the T7 promoter and the cap gene, is transfected or transformed into a cell which either constitutively or inducibly expresses the 17 polymerase. See WO 98/10088, published Mar. 12, 1998.

The spacer is an optional element in the design of the vector. The spacer is a DNA sequence interposed between the promoter and the rep gene ATG start site. The spacer may have any desired design; that is, it may be a random sequence of nucleotides, or alternatively, it may encode a gene product, such as a marker gene. The spacer may contain genes which typically incorporate start/stop and polyA sites. The spacer may be a non-coding DNA sequence from a prokaryote or eukaryote, a repetitive non-coding sequence, a coding sequence without transcriptional controls or a coding sequence with transcriptional controls. Two exemplary sources of spacer sequences are the λ phage ladder sequences or yeast ladder sequences, which are available commercially, e.g., from Gibco or Invitrogen, among others. The spacer may be of any size sufficient to reduce expression of the rep78 and rep68 gene products, leaving the rep52, rep40 and cap gene products expressed at normal levels. The length of the spacer may therefore range from about 10 bp to about 10.0 kbp, preferably in the range of about 100 bp to about 8.0 kbp. To reduce the possibility of recombination, the spacer is preferably less than 2 kbp in length; however, the invention is not so limited.

Although the molecule(s) providing rep and cap may exist in the host cell transiently (i.e., through transfection), it is preferred that one or both of the rep and cap proteins and the promoter(s) controlling their expression be stably expressed in the host cell, e.g., as an episome or by integration into the chromosome of the host cell. The methods employed for constructing embodiments of this invention are conventional genetic engineering or recombinant engineering techniques such as those described in the references above. While this specification provides illustrative examples of specific constructs, using the information provided herein, one of skill in the art may select and design other suitable constructs, using a choice of spacers, P5 promoters, and other elements, including at least one translational start and stop signal, and the optional addition of polyadenylation sites.

In another embodiment of this invention, the rep or cap protein may be provided stably by a host cell.

C. The Helper Functions

The packaging host cell also requires helper functions in order to package the rAAV of the invention. Optionally, these functions may be supplied by a herpesvirus. Most desirably, the necessary helper functions are each provided from a human or non-human primate adenovirus source, such as are described herein or and which are available from a variety of sources, including the ATCC. In one currently preferred embodiment, the host cell is provided with and/or contains an E1a gene product, an E1b gene product, an E2a gene product, and/or an E4 ORF6 gene product. The host cell may contain other adenoviral genes such as VAI RNA, but these genes are not required. In a preferred embodiment, no other adenovirus genes or gene functions are present in the host cell.

By “adenoviral DNA which expresses the E1a gene product”, it is meant any adenovirus sequence encoding E1a or any functional E1a portion. Adenoviral DNA which expresses the E2a gene product and adenoviral DNA which expresses the E4 ORF6 gene products are defined similarly. Also included are any alleles or other modifications of the adenoviral gene or functional portion thereof. Such modifications may be deliberately introduced by resort to conventional genetic engineering or mutagenic techniques to enhance the adenoviral function in some manner, as well as naturally occurring allelic variants thereof. Such modifications and methods for manipulating DNA to achieve these adenovirus gene functions are known to those of skill in the art.

The adenovirus E1a, E1b, E2a, and/or E4ORF6 gene products, as well as any other desired helper functions, can be provided using any means that allows their expression in a cell. Each of the sequences encoding these products may be on a separate vector, or one or more genes may be on the same vector. The vector may be any vector known in the art or disclosed above, including plasmids, cosmids and viruses. Introduction into the host cell of the vector may be achieved by any means known in the art or as disclosed above, including transfection, infection, electroporation, liposome delivery, membrane fusion techniques, high velocity DNA-coated pellets, viral infection and protoplast fusion, among others. One or more of the adenoviral genes may be stably integrated into the genome of the host cell, stably expressed as episomes, or expressed transiently. The gene products may all be expressed transiently, on an episome or stably integrated, or some of the gene products may be expressed stably while others are expressed transiently. Furthermore, the promoters for each of the adenoviral genes may be selected independently from a constitutive promoter, an inducible promoter or a native adenoviral promoter. The promoters may be regulated by a specific physiological state of the organism or cell (i.e., by the differentiation state or in replicating or quiescent cells) or by exogenously-added factors, for example.

D. Host Cells And Packaging Cell Lines

The host cell itself may be selected from any biological organism, including prokaryotic (e.g., bacterial) cells, and eukaryotic cells, including, insect cells, yeast cells and mammalian cells. Particularly desirable host cells are selected from among any mammalian species, including, without limitation, cells such as A549, WEHI, 3T3, 10T1/2, BHK, MDCK, COS 1, COS 7, BSC 1, BSC 40, BMT 10, VERO, WI38, HeLa, 293 cells (which express functional adenoviral E1), Saos, C2C12, L cells, HT1080, HepG2 and primary fibroblast, hepatocyte and myoblast cells derived from mammals including human, monkey, mouse, rat, rabbit, and hamster. The selection of the mammalian species providing the cells is not a limitation of this invention; nor is the type of mammalian cell, i.e., fibroblast, hepatocyte, tumor cell, etc. The requirements for the cell used is that it not carry any adenovirus gene other than E1, E2a and/or E4 ORF6; it not contain any other virus gene which could result in homologous recombination of a contaminating virus during the production of rAAV; and it is capable of infection or transfection of DNA and expression of the transfected DNA. In a preferred embodiment, the host cell is one that has rep and cap stably transfected in the cell.

One host cell useful in the present invention is a host cell stably transformed with the sequences encoding rep and cap, and which is transfected with the adenovirus E1, E2a, and E40RF6 DNA and a construct carrying the minigene as described above. Stable rep and/or cap expressing cell lines, such as B-50 (PCT/US98/19463), or those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,785, may also be similarly employed. Another desirable host cell contains the minimum adenoviral DNA which is sufficient to express E4 ORF6. Yet other cell lines can be constructed using the AAV9 rep and/or AAV9 cap sequences of the invention.

The preparation of a host cell according to this invention involves techniques such as assembly of selected DNA sequences. This assembly may be accomplished utilizing conventional techniques. Such techniques include cDNA and genomic cloning, which are well known and are described in Sambrook et al., cited above, use of overlapping oligonucleotide sequences of the adenovirus and AAV genomes, combined with polymerase chain reaction, synthetic methods, and any other suitable methods which provide the desired nucleotide sequence.

Introduction of the molecules (as plasmids or viruses) into the host cell may also be accomplished using techniques known to the skilled artisan and as discussed throughout the specification. In one embodiment, standard transfection techniques are used, e.g., CaPO₄ transfection or electroporation, and/or infection by hybrid adenovirus/AAV vectors into cell lines such as the human embryonic kidney cell line HEK 293 (a human kidney cell line containing functional adenovirus E1 genes which provides trans-acting E1 proteins).

The AAV9 based gene therapy vectors which are generated by one of skill in the art are beneficial for gene delivery to selected host cells and gene therapy patients since no neutralization antibodies to AAV9 have been found in the human population. One of skill in the art may readily prepare other rAAV viral vectors containing the AAV9 capsid proteins provided herein using a variety of techniques known to those of skill in the art. One may similarly prepare still other rAAV viral vectors containing AAV9 sequence and AAV capsids of another serotype.

Thus, one of skill in the art will readily understand that the AAV9 sequences of the invention can be readily adapted for use in these and other viral vector systems for in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo gene delivery. Similarly, one of skill in the art can readily select other fragments of the AAV9 genome of the invention for use in a variety of rAAV and non-rAAV vector systems. Such vectors systems may include, e.g., lentiviruses, retroviruses, poxviruses, vaccinia viruses, and adenoviral systems, among others. Selection of these vector systems is not a limitation of the present invention.

Thus, the invention further provides vectors generated using the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of the novel AAV of the invention. Such vectors are useful for a variety of purposes, including for delivery of therapeutic molecules and for use in vaccine regimens. Particularly desirable for delivery of therapeutic molecules are recombinant AAV containing capsids of the novel AAV of the invention. These, or other vector constructs containing novel AAV sequences of the invention may be used in vaccine regimens, e.g., for co-delivery of a cytokine, or for delivery of the immunogen itself.

V. Recombinant Viruses and Uses Therefor

Using the techniques described herein, one of skill in the art can generate a rAAV having a capsid of a serotype 8 of the invention or having a capsid containing one or more fragments of AAV9. In one embodiment, a full-length capsid from a single serotype, e.g., AAV9 [SEQ ID NO: 2] can be utilized. In another embodiment, a full-length capsid may be generated which contains one or more fragments of AAV9 fused in frame with sequences from another selected AAV serotype, or from heterologous portions of AAV9. For example, a rAAV may contain one or more of the novel hypervariable region sequences of AAV9. Alternatively, the unique AAV9 sequences of the invention may be used in constructs containing other viral or non-viral sequences. Optionally, a recombinant virus may carry AAV9 rep sequences encoding one or more of the AAV9 rep proteins.

A. Delivery of Viruses

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for delivery of a transgene to a host which involves transfecting or infecting a selected host cell with a recombinant viral vector generated with the AAV9 sequences (or functional fragments thereof) of the invention. Methods for delivery are well known to those of skill in the art and are not a limitation of the present invention.

In one desirable embodiment, the invention provides a method for AAV9-mediated delivery of a transgene to a host. This method involves transfecting or infecting a selected host cell with a recombinant viral vector containing a selected transgene under the control of sequences which direct expression thereof and AAV9 capsid proteins.

Optionally, a sample from the host may be first assayed for the presence of antibodies to a selected AAV serotype. A variety of assay formats for detecting neutralizing antibodies are well known to those of skill in the art. The selection of such an assay is not a limitation of the present invention. See, e.g., Fisher et al, Nature Med., 3(3):306–312 (March 1997) and W. C. Manning et al, Human Gene Therapy, 9:477–485 (Mar. 1, 1998). The results of this assay may be used to determine which AAV vector containing capsid proteins of a particular serotype are preferred for delivery, e.g., by the absence of neutralizing antibodies specific for that capsid serotype.

In one aspect of this method, the delivery of vector with AAV9 capsid proteins may precede or follow delivery of a gene via a vector with a different serotype AAV capsid protein. Thus, gene delivery via rAAV vectors may be used for repeat gene delivery to a selected host cell. Desirably, subsequently administered rAAV vectors carry the same transgene as the first rAAV vector, but the subsequently administered vectors contain capsid proteins of serotypes which differ from the first vector. For example, if a first vector has AAV9 capsid proteins, subsequently administered vectors may have capsid proteins selected from among the other serotypes, including, without limitation, AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, AAV8, AAV6, AAV7, and AAV8.

The above-described recombinant vectors may be delivered to host cells according to published methods. The rAAV, preferably suspended in a physiologically compatible carrier, may be administered to a human or non-human mammalian patient. Suitable carriers may be readily selected by one of skill in the art in view of the indication for which the transfer virus is directed. For example, one suitable carrier includes saline, which may be formulated with a variety of buffering solutions (e.g., phosphate buffered saline). Other exemplary carriers include sterile saline, lactose, sucrose, calcium phosphate, gelatin, dextran, agar, pectin, peanut oil, sesame oil, and water. The selection of the carrier is not a limitation of the present invention.

Optionally, the compositions of the invention may contain, in addition to the rAAV and carrier(s), other conventional pharmaceutical ingredients, such as preservatives, or chemical stabilizers. Suitable exemplary preservatives include chlorobutanol, potassium sorbate, sorbic acid, sulfur dioxide, propyl gallate, the parabens, ethyl vanillin, glycerin, phenol, and parachlorophenol. Suitable chemical stabilizers include gelatin and albumin.

The viral vectors are administered in sufficient amounts to transfect the cells and to provide sufficient levels of gene transfer and expression to provide a therapeutic benefit without undue adverse effects, or with medically acceptable physiological effects, which can be determined by those skilled in the medical arts. Conventional and pharmaceutically acceptable routes of administration include, but are not limited to, direct delivery to the liver or lung, orally, intranasally, intratracheally, by inhalation, intravenously, intramuscularly, intraocularly, subcutaneously, intradermally, or by other routes of administration. Routes of administration may be combined, if desired.

Dosages of the viral vector will depend primarily on factors such as the condition being treated, the age, weight and health of the patient, and may thus vary among patients. For example, a therapeutically effective human dosage of the viral vector is generally in the range of from about 1 ml to about 100 ml of solution containing concentrations of from about 1×10⁹ to 1×10¹⁶ genomes virus vector. A preferred human dosage may be about 1×10¹³ to 1×10¹⁶ AAV genomes. The dosage will be adjusted to balance the therapeutic benefit against any side effects and such dosages may vary depending upon the therapeutic application for which the recombinant vector is employed. The levels of expression of the transgene can be monitored to determine the frequency of dosage resulting in viral vectors, preferably AAV vectors containing the minigene. Optionally, dosage regimens similar to those described for therapeutic purposes may be utilized for immunization using the compositions of the invention.

Examples of therapeutic products and immunogenic products for delivery by the AAV9-containing vectors of the invention are provided below. These vectors may be used for a variety of therapeutic or vaccinal regimens, as described herein. Additionally, these vectors may be delivered in combination with one or more other vectors or active ingredients in a desired therapeutic and/or vaccinal regimen.

B. Therapeutic Transgenes

Useful therapeutic products encoded by the transgene include hormones and growth and differentiation factors including, without limitation, insulin, glucagon, growth hormone (GH), parathyroid hormone (PTH), growth hormone releasing factor (GRF), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietins, angiostatin, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF), erythropoietin (EPO), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), insulin growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II), any one of the transforming growth factor a superfamily, including TGFα, activins, inhibins, or any of the bone morphogenic proteins (BMP) BMPs 1–15, any one of the heregluin/neuregulin/ARIA/neu differentiation factor (NDF) family of growth factors, nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophins NT-3 and NT-4/5, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), neurturin, agrin, any one of the family of semaphorins/collapsins, netrin-1 and netrin-2, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), ephrins, noggin, sonic hedgehog and tyrosine hydroxylase.

Other useful transgene products include proteins that regulate the immune system including, without limitation, cytokines and lymphokines such as thrombopoietin (TPO), interleukins (IL) IL-1 through IL-25 (including, e.g., IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12 and IL-18], monocyte chemoattractant protein, leukemia inhibitory factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, Fas ligand, tumor necrosis factors α and β, interferons α, β, and γ, stem cell factor, flk-2/flt3 ligand. Gene products produced by the immune system are also useful in the invention. These include, without limitations, immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE, chimeric immunoglobulins, humanized antibodies, single chain antibodies, T cell receptors, chimeric T cell receptors, single chain T cell receptors, class I and class II MHC molecules, as well as engineered immunoglobulins and MHC molecules. Useful gene products also include complement regulatory proteins such as complement regulatory proteins, membrane cofactor protein (MCP), decay accelerating factor (DAF), CR1, CF2 and CD59.

Still other useful gene products include any one of the receptors for the hormones, growth factors, cytokines, lymphokines, regulatory proteins and immune system proteins. The invention encompasses receptors for cholesterol regulation, including the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, high density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor, the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) receptor, and the scavenger receptor. The invention also encompasses gene products such as members of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily including glucocorticoid receptors and estrogen receptors, Vitamin D receptors and other nuclear receptors. In addition, useful gene products include transcription factors such as jun, fos, max, mad, serum response factor (SRF), AP-1, AP2, myb, MyoD and myogenin, ETS-bbx containing proteins, TFE3, E2F, ATF1, ATF2, ATF3, ATF4, ZFS, NFAT, CREB, HNF-4, C/EBP, SP1, CCAAT-box binding proteins, interferon regulation factor (IRF-1), Wilms tumor protein, ETS-binding protein, STAT, GATA-box binding proteins, e.g., GATA-3, and the forkhead family of winged helix proteins.

Other useful gene products include, carbamoyl synthetase I, ornithine transcarbamylase, arginosuccinate synthetase, arginosuccinate lyase, argilase, fumarylacetacetate hydrolase, phenylalanine hydroxylase, alpha-1 antitrypsin, glucose-6-phosphatase, porphobilinogen deaminase, factor VIII, factor IX, cystathione beta-synthase, branched chain ketoacid decarboxylase, albumin, isovaleryl-coA dehydrogenase, propionyl CoA carboxylase, methyl malonyl CoA mutase, glutaryl CoA dehydrogenase, insulin, beta-glucosidase, pyruvate carboxylate, hepatic phosphorylase, phosphorylase kinase, glycine decarboxylase, H-protein, T-protein, a cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) sequence, and a dystrophin cDNA sequence. Still other useful gene products include enzymes such as may be useful in enzyme replacement therapy, which is useful in a variety of conditions resulting from deficient activity of enzyme. For example, enzymes that contain mannose-6-phosphate may be utilized in therapies for lysosomal storage diseases (e.g., a suitable gene includes that encoding β-glucuronidase (GUSB)).

Other useful gene products include non-naturally occurring polypeptides, such as chimeric or hybrid polypeptides having a non-naturally occurring amino acid sequence containing insertions, deletions or amino acid substitutions. For example, single-chain engineered immunoglobulins could be useful in certain immunocompromised patients. Other types of non-naturally occurring gene sequences include antisense molecules and catalytic nucleic acids, such as ribozymes, which could be used to reduce overexpression of a target.

Reduction and/or modulation of expression of a gene is particularly desirable for treatment of hyperproliferative conditions characterized by hyperproliferating cells, as are cancers and psoriasis. Target polypeptides include those polypeptides which are produced exclusively or at higher levels in hyperproliferative cells as compared to normal cells. Target antigens include polypeptides encoded by oncogenes such as myb, myc, fyn, and the translocation gene bcr/abl, ras, src, P53, neu, trk and EGRF. In addition to oncogene products as target antigens, target polypeptides for anti-cancer treatments and protective regimens include variable regions of antibodies made by B cell lymphomas and variable regions of T cell receptors of T cell lymphomas which, in some embodiments, are also used as target antigens for autoimmune disease. Other tumor-associated polypeptides can be used as target polypeptides such as polypeptides which are found at higher levels in tumor cells including the polypeptide recognized by monoclonal antibody 17-IA and folate binding polypeptides.

Other suitable therapeutic polypeptides and proteins include those which may be useful for treating individuals suffering from autoimmune diseases and disorders by conferring a broad based protective immune response against targets that are associated with autoimmunity including cell receptors and cells which produce “self”-directed antibodies. T cell mediated autoimmune diseases include Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), Sjögren's syndrome, sarcoidosis, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), autoimmune thyroiditis, reactive arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, scleroderma, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, psoriasis, vasculitis, Wegener's granulomatosis, Croln's disease and ulcerative colitis. Each of these diseases is characterized by T cell receptors (TCRs) that bind to endogenous antigens and initiate the inflammatory cascade associated with autoimmune diseases.

C. Immunogenic Transgenes

Alternatively, or in addition, the vectors of the invention may contain AAV9 sequences of the invention and a transgene encoding a peptide, polypeptide or protein which induces an immune response to a selected immunogen. For example, immunogens may be selected from a variety of viral families. Example of desirable viral families against which an immune response would be desirable include, the picornavirus family, which includes the genera rhinoviruses, which are responsible for about 50% of cases of the common cold; the genera enteroviruses, which include polioviruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, and human enteroviruses such as hepatitis A virus; and the genera apthoviruses, which are responsible for foot and mouth diseases, primarily in non-human animals. Within the picornavirus family of viruses, target antigens include the VP1, VP2, VP3, VP4, and VPG. Another viral family includes the calcivirus family, which encompasses the Norwalk group of viruses, which are an important causative agent of epidemic gastroenteritis. Still another viral family desirable for use in targeting antigens for inducing immune responses in humans and non-human animals is the togavirus family, which includes the genera alphavirus, which include Sindbis viruses, RossRiver virus, and Venezuelan, Eastern & Western Equine encephalitis, and rubivirus, including Rubella virus. The flaviviridae family includes dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis and tick borne encephalitis viruses. Other target antigens may be generated from the Hepatitis C or the coronavirus family, which includes a number of non-human viruses such as infectious bronchitis virus (poultry), porcine transmissible gastroenteric virus (pig), porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (pig), feline infectious peritonitis virus (cats), feline enteric coronavirus (cat), canine coronavirus (dog), and human respiratory coronaviruses, which may cause the common cold and/or non-A, B or C hepatitis. Within the coronavirus family, target antigens include the E1 (also called M or matrix protein), E2 (also called S or Spike protein), E3 (also called HE or hemagglutin-elterose) glycoprotein (not present in all coronaviruses), or N (nucleocapsid). Still other antigens may be targeted against the rhabdovirus family, which includes the genera vesiculovirus (e.g., Vesicular Stomatitis Virus), and the general lyssavirus (e.g., rabies). Within the rhabdovirus family, suitable antigens may be derived from the G protein or the N protein. The family filoviridae, which includes hemorrhagic fever viruses such as Marburg and Ebola virus may be a suitable source of antigens. The paramyxovirus family includes parainfluenza Virus Type 1, parainfluenza Virus Type 3, bovine parainfluenza Virus Type 3, rubulavirus (mumps virus, parainfluenza Virus Type 2, parainfluenza virus Type 4, Newcastle disease virus (chickens), rinderpest, morbillivirus, which includes measles and canine distemper, and pneumovirus, which includes respiratory syncytial virus. The influenza virus is classified within the family orthomyxovirus and is a suitable source of antigen (e.g., the HA protein, the N1 protein). The bunyavirus family includes the genera bunyavirus (California encephalitis, La Crosse), phlebovirus (Rift Valley Fever), hantavirus (puremala is a hemahagin fever virus), nairovirus (Nairobi sheep disease) and various unassigned bungaviruses. The arenavirus family provides a source of antigens against LCM and Lassa fever virus. The reovirus family includes the genera reovirus, rotavirus (which causes acute gastroenteritis in children), orbiviruses, and cultivirus (Colorado Tick fever, Lebombo (humans), equine encephalosis, blue tongue). The retrovirus family includes the sub-family oncorivirinal which encompasses such human and veterinary diseases as feline leukemia virus, HTLVI and HTLVII, lentivirinal (which includes HIV, simian immunodeficiency virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, equine infectious anemia virus, and spuinavirinal). The papovavirus family includes the sub-family polyomaviruses (BKU and JCU viruses) and the sub-family papillomavirus (associated with cancers or malignant progression of papilloma). The adenovirus family includes viruses (EX, AD7, ARD, O.B.) which cause respiratory disease and/or enteritis. The parvovirus family feline parvovirus (feline enteritis), feline panleucopeniavirus, canine parvovirus, and porcine parvovirus. The herpesvirus family includes the sub-family alphaherpesvirinae, which encompasses the genera simplexvirus (HSVI, HSVII), varicellovirus (pseudorabies, varicella zoster) and the sub-family betaherpesvirinae, which includes the genera cytomegalovirus (HCMV, muromegalovirus) and the sub-family gammaherpesvirinae, which includes the genera lymphocryptovirus, EBV (Burkitts lymphoma), infectious rhinotracheitis, Marek's disease virus, and rhadinovirus. The poxvirus family includes the sub-family chordopoxyirinae, which encompasses the genera orthopoxvirus (Variola major (Smallpox) and Vaccinia (Cowpox)), parapoxvirus, avipoxvirus, leporipoxvirus, suipoxvirus, and the sub-family entomopoxyirinae. The hepadnavirus family includes the Hepatitis B virus. One unclassified virus which may be suitable source of antigens is the Hepatitis delta virus. Another virus which is a source of antigens is Nipan Virus. Still other viral sources may include avian infectious bursal disease virus and porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus. The alphavirus family includes equine arteritis virus and various Encephalitis viruses.

The present invention may also encompass immunogens which are useful to immunize a human or non-human animal against other pathogens including bacteria, fungi, parasitic microorganisms or multicellular parasites which infect human and non-human vertebrates, or from a cancer cell or tumor cell. Examples of bacterial pathogens include pathogenic gram-positive cocci include pneumococci; staphylococci (and the toxins produced thereby, e.g., enterotoxin B); and streptococci. Pathogenic gram-negative cocci include meningococcus; gonococcus. Pathogenic enteric gram-negative bacilli include enterobacteriaceae; pseudomonas, acinetobacteria and eikenella; melioidosis; salmonella; shigella; haemophilus; moraxella; H. ducreyi (which causes chancroid); brucella species (brucellosis); Francisella tularensis (which causes tularemia); Yersinia pestis (plague) and other yersinia (pasteurella); streptobacillus moniliformis and spirillum; Gram-positive bacilli include listeria monocytogenes; erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae; Corynebacterium diphtheria (diphtheria); cholera; B. anthracis (anthrax); donovanosis (granuloma inguinale); and bartonellosis. Diseases caused by pathogenic anaerobic bacteria include tetanus; botulism (Clostriduin botulimum and its toxin); Clostridium peifringens and its epsilon toxin; other clostridia; tuberculosis; leprosy; and other mycobacteria. Pathogenic spirochetal diseases include syphilis; treponematoses: yaws, pinta and endemic syphilis; and leptospirosis. Other infections caused by higher pathogen bacteria and pathogenic fungi include glanders (Burkholderia mallet); actinomycosis; nocardiosis; cryptococcosis, blastomycosis, histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis; candidiasis, aspergillosis, and mucormycosis; sporotrichosis; paracoccidiodomycosis, petriellidiosis, torulopsosis, mycetoma and chromomycosis; and dermatophytosis. Rickettsial infections include Typhus fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Q fever (Coxiella burnetti), and Rickettsialpox. Examples of mycoplasma and chlamydial infections include: mycoplasma pneumoniae; lymphogranuloma venereum; psittacosis; and perinatal chlamydial infections. Pathogenic eukaryotes encompass pathogenic protozoans and helminths and infections produced thereby include: amebiasis; malaria; leishmaniasis; trypanosomiasis; toxoplasmosis; Pneumocystis carinii; Trichans; Toxoplasma gondii; babesiosis; giardiasis; trichinosis; filariasis; schistosomiasis; nematodes; trematodes or flukes; and cestode (tapeworm) infections.

Many of these organisms and/or the toxins produced thereby have been identified by the Centers for Disease Control [(CDC), Department of Heath and Human Services, USA], as agents which have potential for use in biological attacks. For example, some of these biological agents, include, Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), Clostridium botulinum and its toxin (botulism), Yersinia pestis (plague), variola major (smallpox), Francisella tularensis (tularemia), and viral hemorrhagic fevers [filoviruses (e.g., Ebola, Marburg], and arenaviruses [e.g., Lassa, Machupo]), all of which are currently classified as Category A agents; Coxiella burnetti (Q fever); Brucella species (brucellosis), Burkholderia mallei (glanders), Burkholderia pseudomallei (meloidosis), Ricinus communis and its toxin (ricin toxin), Clostridium perfringens and its toxin (epsilon toxin), Staphylococcus species and their toxins (enterotoxin B), Chlamydia psittaci (psittacosis), water safety threats (e.g., Vibrio cholerae, Crytosporidium parvum), Typhus fever (Richettsia powazekii), and viral encephalitis (alphaviruses, e.g., Venezuelan equine encephalitis; eastern equine encephalitis; western equine encephalitis); all of which are currently classified as Category B agents; and Nipan virus and hantaviruses, which are currently classified as Category C agents. In addition, other organisms, which are so classified or differently classified, may be identified and/or used for such a purpose in the future. It will be readily understood that the viral vectors and other constructs described herein are useful to deliver antigens from these organisms, viruses, their toxins or other by-products, which will prevent and/or treat infection or other adverse reactions with these biological agents.

Administration of the vectors of the invention to deliver immunogens against the variable region of the T cells elicit an immune response including CTLs to eliminate those T cells. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), several specific variable regions of T cell receptors (TCRs) which are involved in the disease have been characterized. These TCRs include V-3, V-14, V-17 and V-17. Thus, delivery of a nucleic acid sequence that encodes at least one of these polypeptides will elicit an immune response that will target T cells involved in RA. In multiple sclerosis (MS), several specific variable regions of TCRs which are involved in the disease have been characterized. These TCRs include V-7 and V-10. Thus, delivery of a nucleic acid sequence that encodes at least one of these polypeptides will elicit an immune response that will target T cells involved in MS. In scleroderma, several specific variable regions of TCRs which are involved in the disease have been characterized. These TCRs include V-6, V-8, V-14 and V-16, V-3C, V-7, V-14, V-15, V-16, V-28 and V-12. Thus, delivery of a nucleic acid molecule that encodes at least one of these polypeptides will elicit an immune response that will target T cells involved in scleroderma.

Thus, a rAAV9-derived recombinant viral vector of the invention provides an efficient gene transfer vehicle which can deliver a selected transgene to a selected host cell in vivo or ex vivo even where the organism has neutralizing antibodies to one or more AAV serotypes. In one embodiment, the rAAV and the cells are mixed ex vivo; the infected cells are cultured using conventional methodologies; and the transduced cells are re-infused into the patient.

The vectors of the invention are particularly well suited to gene delivery for therapeutic purposes and for immunization, including inducing protective immunity. Further, the vectors of the invention may also be used for production of a desired gene product in vitro. For in vitao production, a desired product (e.g., a protein) may be obtained from a desired culture following transfection of host cells with a rAAV containing the molecule encoding the desired product and culturing the cell culture under conditions which permit expression. The expressed product may then be purified and isolated, as desired. Suitable techniques for transfection, cell culturing, purification, and isolation are known to those of skill in the art.

The following examples illustrate several aspects and embodiments of the invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Production of Recombinant AAV9 Viral Genomes Equipped with AAV2 ITRs

Chimeric packaging constructs are generated by fusing AAV2 rep with cap sequences of novel AAV serotypes. These chimeric packaging constructs are used, initially, for pseudotyping recombinant AAV genomes carrying AAV2 ITRs by triple transfection in 293 cell using Ad5 helper plasmid. These pseudotyped vectors are used to evaluate performance in transduction-based serological studies and evaluate gene transfer efficiency of novel AAV serotypes in different animal models including NHP and rodents, before intact and infectious viruses of these novel serotypes are isolated.

A. pAA V2GFP

The AAV2 plasmid which contains the AAV2 ITRs and green fluorescent protein expressed under the control of a constitutive promoter. This plasmid contains the following elements: the AAV2 ITRs, a CMV promoter, the GFP coding sequences,

B. Cloning of Trans Plasmid

To construct the chimeric trans-plasmid for production of recombinant pseudotyped AAV9 vectors, pSE18 plasmid (Xiao et al., 1999, J. Virol 73:3994–4003) was partially digested with Xho I to linearize the plasmid at the Xho I site at the position of 3169 bp only. The Xho I cut ends were then filled in and ligated back. This modified p5E18 plasmid was restricted with Xba I and Xho I in a complete digestion to remove the AAV2 cap gene sequence and replaced with a 2267 bp Spe I/Xho I fragment containing the AAV9 cap gene which was isolated from pCRAAV9 6-5+15-4 plasmid.

The resulting plasmid contains the AAV2 rep sequences for Rep78/68 under the control of the AAV2 P5 promoter, and the AAV2 rep sequences for Rep52/40 under the control of the AAV2 P19 promoter. The AAV9 capsid sequences are under the control of the AAV2 P40 promoter, which is located within the Rep sequences. This plasmid further contains a spacer 5′ of the rep ORF.

Alternatively, a similar plasmid can be constructed which utilizes the AAV9 rep sequences and the native AAV9 promoter sequences. This plasmid is then used for production of rAAV9, as described herein.

C. Production of Pseudotyped rAAV

The rAAV particles (AAV2 vector in AAV9 capsid) are generated using an adenovirus-free method. Briefly, the cis plasmid (pAAV2.1 lacZ plasmid containing AAV2 ITRs), and the trans plasmid pCRAAV9 6-5+15-4 (containing the AAV2 rep and AAV9cap) and a helper plasmid, respectively, are simultaneously co-transfected into 293 cells in a ratio of 1:1:2 by calcium phosphate precipitation.

For the construction of the pAd helper plasmids, pBG10 plasmid was purchased from Microbix (Canada). A RsrII fragment containing L2 and L3 is deleted from pBHG10, resulting in the first helper plasmid, pAd F13. Plasmid Ad F1 was constructed by cloning Asp700/SalI fragment with a PmeI/Sgfl deletion, isolating from pBHG10, into Bluescript. MLP, L2, L2 and L3 were deleted in the pAd F1. Further deletions of a 2.3 kb NruI fragment and, subsequently, a 0.5 kb RsrII/NruI fragment generated helper plasmids pAd F5 and pAd F6, respectively. The helper plasmid, termed p F6, provides the essential helper functions of E2a and E4 ORF6 not provided by the E1-expressing helper cell, but is deleted of adenoviral capsid proteins and functional E1 regions).

Typically, 50 μg of DNA (cis:trans:helper) is transfected onto a 150 mm tissue culture dish. The 293 cells are harvested 72 hours post-transfection, sonicated and treated with 0.5% sodium deoxycholate (37 C for 10 min.) Cell lysates are then subjected to two rounds of a CsCl gradient. Peak fractions containing rAAV vector are collected, pooled and dialyzed against PBS.

Example 2 Mouse Model of Familial Hypercholesterolemia

The following experiment will demonstrate that the AAV2/9 rAAV constructed as described herein delivers the LDL receptor and expresses LDL receptor in an amount sufficient to reduce the levels of plasma cholesterol and triglycerides in animal models of familial hypercholesterolemia.

The rAAV2/9 constructs used in the following experiment contain the cDNA for murine VLDL receptor (LDLR) driven from a β-actin promoter and enhanced from the cytomegalovirus enhancer (AAV-CB-VLDLR). LDL receptor-deficient mice (Jackson Laboratories) on a high cholesterol diet which exhibit the symptoms of familial hypercholesterolemia, (FH mice) are infused intravenously with 4×10¹² AAV-CB-LDLR or a saline control and the plasma cholesterol level was monitored.

The plasma cholesterol and triglyceride profiles of FH mice infused with VLDLR virus are determined as follows. The mice treated as described above are fasted for six (6) hours, and blood samples collected by retro-orbital venous plexus puncture with heparinized capillary tubes. Plasma is separated by centrifugation. The concentration of total cholesterol and triglyceride is determined using kits purchased from Wako Chemicals.

Mice in the control group show gradually increased cholesterol levels until reaching a steady state in about 4 weeks post injection. In mice receiving a LDLR virus, plasma cholesterol levels steadily decrease starting 3 weeks post-virus administration.

A cholesterol profile of plasma from the FH mice infused with LDLR virus is obtained by FPLC analysis. Mouse plasma is pooled from 4 mice in each group. Plasma samples are isolated from control and AAV-VLDLR infused animals at pre-injection (PI) or 2 months (2M) post virus infusion and are analyzed by FPLC fractionation followed by cholesterol assay.

Example 3 In vivo Transduction with AAV9 Serotype Vectors

The performance of vector based on the new AAV9 serotype is evaluated in murine models of muscle and liver-directed gene transfer and compared to vectors based on the known serotypes AAV1, AAV2 and AAV5. Vectors expressing secreted proteins are used to quantitate relative transduction efficiencies between different serotypes through ELISA analysis of sera. The cellular distribution of transduction within the target organ is evaluated using lacZ expressing vectors and X-gal histochemistry.

For this experiment, recombinant AAV genomes, AAV2CBhAlAT, AAV2AlbhAlAT, AAV2CMVrhCG, AAV2TBGrhCG, AAV2TBGcFlX, AAV2CMVLacZ and AAV2TBGLacZ are packaged with AAV9, or AAV1, AAV2, or AAV5 capsid proteins. In all constructs, minigene cassettes are flanked with AAV2 ITRs. cDNAs of human α-antitrypsin (A1AT) [Xiao, W., et al., (1999) J Virol 73, 3994–4003] β-subunit of rhesus monkey choriogonadotropic hormone (CG) [Zoltick, P. W. & Wilson, J. M. (2000) Mol Ther 2, 657–9] canine factor IX [Wang, L., et al., (1997) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 94, 11563–6] and bacterial β-glactosidase (i.e., Lac Z) genes are used as reporter genes. For liver-directed gene transfer, either mouse albumin gene promoter (Alb) [Xiao, W. (1999), cited above] or human thyroid hormone binding globulin gene promoter (TBG) [Wang (1997), cited above] is used to drive liver specific expression of reporter genes. In muscle-directed gene transfer experiments, either cytomegalovirus early promoter (CMV) or chicken β-actin promoter with CMV enhancer (CB) is employed to direct expression of reporters.

For muscle-directed gene transfer, vectors are injected into the right tibialis anterior of 4–6 week old NCR nude or C57BL/6 mice (Taconic, Germantown, N.Y.). In liver-directed gene transfer studies, vectors are infused intiaportally into 7–9 week old NCR nude or C57BL/6 mice (Taconic, Gerinantown, N.Y.). Serum samples are collected intraorbitally at different time points after vector administration. Muscle and liver tissues are harvested at different time points for cryosectioning and Xgal histochemical staining from animals that received the lacZ vectors. For the re-administration experiment, C56BL/6 mice initially received AAV2/1, 2/2, 2/5, and 2/9 CBA1AT vectors intramuscularly and followed for A1AT gene expression for 7 weeks. Previous studies indicated that immune competent C57BL/6 mice elicit limited humoral responses to the human A1AT protein when expressed from AAV vectors [Xiao, W., et al., (1999) J Virol 73, 3994–4003]. Animals are then treated with AAV2/9 TBGcFIX intraportally and studied for cFIX gene expression.

ELISA based assays are performed to quantify serum levels of hA1AT, rhCG and cFIX proteins as described previously [Gao, G. P., et al., (1996) J Virol 70, 8934–43; Zoltick, P. W. & Wilson, J. M. (2000) Mol Ther 2, 657–9; Wang, L., et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 94, 11563–6]. The experiments are completed when animals are sacrificed for harvest of muscle and liver tissues for DNA extraction and quantitative analysis of genome copies of vectors present in target tissues by TaqMan using the same set of primers and probe as in titration of vector preparations [Zhang, Y., et al., (2001) Mol Ther 3, 697–707].

All publications cited in this specification are incorporated herein by reference. While the invention has been described with reference to particularly preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the claims. 

1. An isolated adeno-associated virus (AAV) comprising an AAV capsid protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
 2. The isolated AAV according to claim 1, wherein the AAV capsid protein was encoded by nt 2116 to 4323 of SEQ ID NO:1.
 3. The isolated AAV according to claim 1, wherein said AAV further comprises a minigene having AAV inverted terminal repeats and a heterologous gene operably linked to regulatory sequences which direct its expression in a host cell.
 4. An isolated host cell comprising an adeno-associated virus according to claim
 1. 5. A composition comprising said AAV according to claim 1 and a physiologically compatible carrier.
 6. A method of delivering a transgene to a cell, said method comprising the step of contacting the cell with said AAV according to claim 1, wherein said AAV comprises a heterologous gene. 